Tide basketball team hopes to start new year off right

By David WassonExecutive Sports Editor

Published: Tuesday, January 1, 2008 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, January 1, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

TUSCALOOSA | With a new year often brings new opportunity.

For the University of Alabama men’s basketball team, the first day of 2008 brings with it a chance to knock off a Top 25 program from the ACC, a chance to extend a winning streak and, just maybe, a chance to be considered a ranked program once again.

Riding a six-game winning streak and coming off a 36-point home blowout of George Washington, the Crimson Tide takes on No. 25 Clemson at 3:30 p.m. at Coleman Coliseum with a chance to make all those New Year’s Day opportunities come true.

“I think they are a terrific team,” Alabama coach Mark Gottfried said of the Tigers, who are 11-1 so far this season and have only a three-point home loss to Ole Miss blemishing their schedule.

“They’re strong and physical around the basket. They press a little bit like George Washington does but I think they do a better job with all that. They have some great shooters on the perimeter. So they’re a terrific team. They’ll be a great matchup.”

Alabama’s theme in recent weeks has been one of chemistry. After losing early to Belmont and absorbing close losses to Top 10-ranked Texas A&M and Georgetown, the Tide has gelled around the excellent play of forwards Richard Hendrix and Alonzo Gee and the improved play of freshman point guard Rico Pickett.

The statistical proof: Alabama piled up 25 assists on 35 made field goals against George Washington, and turned the ball over just 11 times.

“I think our chemistry is coming along and we’re just playing together,” said Gee, who scored 21 points and grabbed 13 rebounds against the Colonials on Saturday night and added 23 points and 11 rebounds against Iowa State in Las Vegas.

“When we play together, we have fun out there, and that’s the big thing. We’re having fun playing together and sharing the ball.”

Gottfried agrees.

“I think we are maturing,” Gottfried said. “We are getting a little bit better. What our team needs a little bit, too, which I think these last two or three games helps us in, is confidence. There early on you’re playing hard and sometimes you’re playing well. Sometimes you’re not shooting the ball well. But a couple of games there I was concerned just where we were mentally. We were unsure. We had one of those games in here early on, Southeastern Louisiana, we couldn’t make a basket. None. You don’t want your team ever to be cautious. You don’t want your team ever to not be a confident team.

“I think now we’re building confidence. I think we’re building confidence in the team and the way we’re substituting in our rotation. The guys are coming in off the bench and doing a good job for us in keeping the intensity level high. We’re continuing to score when we go to the bench. So good things are happening right now for our team. It’s taken us a while to get here and we can obviously get a lot better but we are playing pretty well right now.”

Today’s meeting between Alabama and Clemson is the first since the Tide beat the Tigers in the 1990 San Juan Shootout. The teams are tied at 3-3 in the series that dates to 1930 and the Southern Conference Tournament in Atlanta.

“I hope our fans can come out on Tuesday afternoon for this game because I think it’s going to be a great SEC-ACC showdown. They are a Top 25 ranked team. One thing about our crowd on Saturday night, I think they really appreciated how hard our kids are playing. They were diving on the floor. They’re taking away fast break baskets just by great hustle. And hopefully we can build on that. Hopefully that’s something our people will like.”

The Clemson game marks the first of two games Alabama will play this week, as it hosts Chicago State at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The Tide opens SEC play at home on Jan. 8 against two-time defending national champion Florida.

Reach David Wasson at david.wasson@tuscaloosanews.com or at 205-722-0229.

<p>TUSCALOOSA | With a new year often brings new opportunity.</p><p>For the University of Alabama men’s basketball team, the first day of 2008 brings with it a chance to knock off a Top 25 program from the ACC, a chance to extend a winning streak and, just maybe, a chance to be considered a ranked program once again.</p><p>Riding a six-game winning streak and coming off a 36-point home blowout of George Washington, the Crimson Tide takes on No. 25 Clemson at 3:30 p.m. at Coleman Coliseum with a chance to make all those New Year’s Day opportunities come true.</p><p>I think they are a terrific team, Alabama coach Mark Gottfried said of the Tigers, who are 11-1 so far this season and have only a three-point home loss to Ole Miss blemishing their schedule.</p><p>They’re strong and physical around the basket. They press a little bit like George Washington does but I think they do a better job with all that. They have some great shooters on the perimeter. So they’re a terrific team. They’ll be a great matchup.</p><p>Alabama’s theme in recent weeks has been one of chemistry. After losing early to Belmont and absorbing close losses to Top 10-ranked Texas A&M and Georgetown, the Tide has gelled around the excellent play of forwards Richard Hendrix and Alonzo Gee and the improved play of freshman point guard Rico Pickett.</p><p>The statistical proof: Alabama piled up 25 assists on 35 made field goals against George Washington, and turned the ball over just 11 times.</p><p>I think our chemistry is coming along and we’re just playing together, said Gee, who scored 21 points and grabbed 13 rebounds against the Colonials on Saturday night and added 23 points and 11 rebounds against Iowa State in Las Vegas.</p><p>When we play together, we have fun out there, and that’s the big thing. We’re having fun playing together and sharing the ball.</p><p>Gottfried agrees.</p><p>I think we are maturing, Gottfried said. We are getting a little bit better. What our team needs a little bit, too, which I think these last two or three games helps us in, is confidence. There early on you’re playing hard and sometimes you’re playing well. Sometimes you’re not shooting the ball well. But a couple of games there I was concerned just where we were mentally. We were unsure. We had one of those games in here early on, Southeastern Louisiana, we couldn’t make a basket. None. You don’t want your team ever to be cautious. You don’t want your team ever to not be a confident team.</p><p>I think now we’re building confidence. I think we’re building confidence in the team and the way we’re substituting in our rotation. The guys are coming in off the bench and doing a good job for us in keeping the intensity level high. We’re continuing to score when we go to the bench. So good things are happening right now for our team. It’s taken us a while to get here and we can obviously get a lot better but we are playing pretty well right now.</p><p>Today’s meeting between Alabama and Clemson is the first since the Tide beat the Tigers in the 1990 San Juan Shootout. The teams are tied at 3-3 in the series that dates to 1930 and the Southern Conference Tournament in Atlanta. </p><p>I hope our fans can come out on Tuesday afternoon for this game because I think it’s going to be a great SEC-ACC showdown. They are a Top 25 ranked team. One thing about our crowd on Saturday night, I think they really appreciated how hard our kids are playing. They were diving on the floor. They’re taking away fast break baskets just by great hustle. And hopefully we can build on that. Hopefully that’s something our people will like.</p><p>The Clemson game marks the first of two games Alabama will play this week, as it hosts Chicago State at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The Tide opens SEC play at home on Jan. 8 against two-time defending national champion Florida.</p><p>Reach David Wasson at david.wasson@tuscaloosanews.com or at 205-722-0229.</p>